Plate cutting apparatus



June 18, 1968 w. c. CALHOUN 3,388,902

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA US Willie C. Calhoun,

INVEN OR.

J 968 w. c. CALHOUN 3,388,902

PLATB CUTTING APPARATUS Filed June 14, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

.Willie C. Calhoun.

mvsmoz.

United States Patent O 3,388,902 PLATE CUTTING APPARATUS Willie C.Calhoun, Huntsville, Aia., assignor to the United States of America asrepresented by the secretary of the Army Filed June 14, 1966, Ser. No.558,219 6 Claims. (Cl. 266-23) This invention relates to plate cuttingapparatus and more particularly to an improved plate cutting apparatushaving a high degree of versatility, adjustability, durability, andprecision as compared to conventional apparatus. For example, theimproved apparatus according to the present invention is particularlyuseful in fabricating missile and rocket assemblies wherein heavy dutycutting with a high degree of precision is required.

There has long been a demand for a cutting apparatus having theversatility to allow the cutting head to be easily positioned forcutting along straight lines and/ or circular lines. The presentinvention provides such apparatus wherein the support structure for thecutter head may be rotated through 360, and the cutter head may beadditionally moved in a first direction and in a second direction normalto the first direction.

It is, therefore, a primary Object of the present invention to provide aplate cutting apparatus which is highly versatile, thereby adapting thecutting head for movement in several different directions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plate cutting apparatuswhich is adapted for cutting linear and/ or circular scribe lines.

A further Object of the invention is to provide a plate cuttingapparatus utilizing a cutting machine adapted for rolling along a trackwherein the machine may be set for automatic operation and may beremotely controlled.

A still further Object of the invention is to provide a cuttingapparatus which will allow a number of different cutting heads andmachines to be used interchangeably herewith.

Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent from thespecification and claims and from the accompanying drawings whichillustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 1 is a erspective view of the plate cutting apparatus, partiallyshown, embodying the features of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is another perspective view of the plate cutting apparatus withportions of the support structure thereof cutaway and with the worktableonly partially shown, this view being taken at a different angle fromthat of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a partial view of another embodiment of the invention,illustrating a modified drive arrangement for the ring.

Referring to the drawing and particularly FIGURES 1 and 2, there isshown a plate cutting apparatus 1 for cutting a plate 2 (FIGURE 2)supported on a workbed or table 3 (partially shown). The apparatusincludes a vertically extending support column 4 rotatably supported atthe lower end thereof within a conventional base plate and bearingassembly (not shown). This column is preferably adapted for rotationthrough 360. A cantilever beam 6 is rigidly secured at one of its endsto the upper end of the post for disposition above the worktable and ina horizontal plane parallel therewith. A cylindrical centerpost assembly8 depends from the terminal end of beam 6 in normal relation therewith.Centerpost assembly is formed of two parts: an upper cylindrical element10` and a lower cylindrical element 12. To provide means for accuratelyleveling the apparatus carried by lower element 12 with respect to theworktable, a leveling device 14 is interposed within the centerpoststructure, i.e., level- 3,388,90'2 Patented June 18, 1968 ICC ing device14 joins elements 10 and 12. Secured coaxially on the lower end of lowerelement 12 is an enlarged bearing assembly 16. A n'ng member 18 isrotatably journaled for support within bearing assembly 16. To lock thering against rotation, a locking screw 24, carried by bracket 26extending from the centerpost assembly, engages the outer periphery ofthe ring. A variable electric drive mechanism 30 is provided to rotatethe ring selectively, as by remote control means (not shown). Drivemechanism 30 is supported for vertical adjustrnent within sleeve 29 ofbracket 28 extending from the centerpost and includes a friction wheel32 for selective engagement with the upper face 34 of the ring.

A first frame 36, secured to the lower side of ring18, includes a pairof elongated, parallel bars 38 each having a geared track 40 secured onthe lower side thereof. A second frame 42, suspended from the firstframe, includes a pair of upper frame members 44. Each frame member 44carries a pair of spaced rollers 46 (FIGURE l) which engage and rollalong the top of one of the elongated bars 38. Rotatably journ'aled inthe lower side of each frame member 44 is a gear wheel 48 meshing with arespective one of the geared tracks 40. At least one of the gear wheelsis provided with a crank arm 50 for rotating the same, thereby causingthe elongated bars to move telescopingly between the respective rollersand gear wheels. Each frame 42 includes a pair of vertical frame members51, which are adjustable vertically in sleeves 53. Each frame 42 alsoincludes a pair of lower frame members 52 which support a horizontallydisposed track defined by a pair of parallel track members 54. A cuttingmachine 56, which may be selected from a plurality of different,conventional machines, has a plurality of wheels positioned for rollingalong track members 54. Cutting machine 56 is preferably provided with apair of caster wheels 58 which may be locked to maintain the machine ina selected position as desired. A gas-operated cutting head 60 isoperatively supported from the free side of the cutting machine and isconnected with a gas source (not shown) as by flexible hoses 57 andcoupling 59. A guide rod 61, having a conical end 62, is provided toadapt the apparatus for cutting a circular scribe line, and the same maybe useful to aid in cutting parallel linear lines. Preferably, the guiderod is releasably secured coaxially within the lower element of thecenterpost. Thus, the guide rod may be easily inserted and removed asdesired and is normally used only when a high degree of precision isrequired.

In operation, the cutting :appa-ratus is positioned above theworktable-and the plate to be cut-initially by rotating column 4. Thus,it is seen that the cutting apparatus may be swun-g around the verticalpivot axis of column 4 so `as to be used on a number of individualWorktables with column 4 in the center thereof. Then, upon releasinglock means 24 from engagement with the periphery of ring member 18, theframework carrying the cutting machine is rotated to the desiredposition relative to the Worktable. Frame 42 may be moved alongelongated track bars 38. If a straight line is being cut, the tip of thecutting head is -merely placed at one end of the scribe line, .and thecutting machine, which may be remotely controlled, *moves along thetrack. For circular cutting, the cutting head is aligned with -acircular scribe line, and the center guide rod *may he placed at thecenter of the circle. After the locking screw is released from lockingenga gement with the ring, drive mechanism 30, with friction wheel 32engaging face 34 of ring 18, is started, thereby causing =rotaton of thering and the cutting apparatus about the aXis of the center rod guide.

The em'bodiment of FIGURE 3 ditferes only from the apparatus of FIGURES1 and 2 in that drive mechanism 30 is mounted horizontally so as toallow the -friction Wheel to be selectively enga ged with the outerperiphery of ring 18. Thus, mechanism 30 is suppoted by a bracket 64pivoted at 66 on element 12. To provide means for selectively moving thedrive mechansm into driving engagenent with the ring, a shaft 70 havingan eccentric 72 and a handle 74 is journaled in the lower end of abracket 68 ri gid with cylindrical element 10. Therefore, in operation,to move the drive mechanism from the inoperative position depicted(FIGURE 3) to the operative position, the eccentric is rotated clockwiseby handle 74. Thus, the lower side of bracket member 74 then rests onthe flat side of eccentric 72 and friction Wheel 3-2 is in drivingengagement with the periphery of the ring.

While the apparatus has been described, in its preferred embodment, asinterchan geably utlizing a cuttng machine of a number of conventionaldesigns each having a gas-operated cutting head, the structure lendsitself to use with other types of cutting torches by merely securing thesame to the cutng machine track. Further, while the appa ratus has 'beendescribed as a plate cutting apparatus, it should be Obvious that theapparatus is equally useful in cutting other structures placed on theworktable. For example, the apparatus has been particularly useful in-fabricating :missile and rocket assemblies, such as thrust rngs, motorheads, and adapter rings.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments herein illustrated and described but may be used in otherWays 'without departure from its spirit as defined by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for cutting a metal plate supported on a metal-workingtable comprsing, in combination: a ver-tical column supported :at itslower end for rotation through 360 about its vertical axis; a cantileverbeam projectin-g from the upper end of said column and dsposedhorizontally; a cylindrical .arm member depending vertically from theterminal end of said beam and dsposed in spaced parallel relation withsaid column; a ring member dsposed coaxially of said cylindrical armmember and supported by the lower end thereof for rotation through 360about the axis thereof; a rotary drive mechansm supported by saidcylindrical arm member and having means adapted for engagement with anannular portion of said ring for rotatng the same; a first frame rigdlysecured to the lower side of said ring member and dsposed in ahorizontal plane normal to the axis of said arm, said first frameincluding a par of elongated bars dsposed in spaced, parallel relationand defining a first track extending in a first -directi0n; a secondframe suspended *from said first frame and carrying a second elongatedtrack dsposed horizontally below said first track in spaced relationtherewith and extending in a second direction transversely of said firstdirection; and a -gas operated cutting means suppoted on said secondtrack.

2. An apparatus :as defined in clam 1 wherein said second frame isprovided at its upper end With means for engaging said first trackwhereby said second track and said cutting means supported thereon maybe moved in said first direction beneath said first track.

3. An apparatus -as defined in clam 1 Wherein said gasoperated cuttingmeans includes a cutting machine provided With rollers `for rollingalon-g said second track in said second direction :and having a cuttin ghead aflixed thereto.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein leveling means is providedintermediate said ring member and said cantilever beam for levelng saidring member and both said tracks relative to the metal-working table.

5. An apparatus as -defined in clam 1 wherein a center guide rod,conica'lly formed on its lower end, is secured -coaXially 'Within saidcylindrical arm for extending vertically into engagement at said lowerend with said metal plate whereby said second track and said cuttingmachine may be guded by said center 'guide rod for movement in acircular cutting path.

6. An apparatus as defined in clam 1 wherein said drive mechanismincludes a variable speed electric motor having a friction drive Wheelmounted on said arm and adapted for movement between respectivepositions Whereby the friction drive -wheel may be selectively movedinto and out of engagement with :an annular portion of said ring.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,548,302 4/1951 Gi lson 33-26FOREIGN PATENTS 21,932 9/1961 Germany.

J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Prim'ay Exam'ner.

R. D. BALDWIN, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING A METAL PLATE SUPPORTED ON A METAL-WORKINGTABLE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A VERTICAL COLUMN SUPPORTED AT ITSLOWER END FOR ROTATION THROUGH 360* ABOUT ITS VERTICAL AXIS; ACANTILEVER BEAM PROJECTING FROM THE UPPER END OF SAID COLUMN ANDDISPOSED HORIZONTALLY; A CYLINDRICAL ARM MEMBER DEPENDING VERTICALLYFROM THE TERMINAL END OF SAID BEAM AND DISPOSED IN SPACED PARALLELRELATION WITH SAID COLUMN; A RING MEMBER DISPOSED COAXIALLY OF SAIDCYLINDRICAL ARM MEMBER AND SUPPORTED BY THE LOWER END THEREOF FORROTATION THROUGH 360* ABOUT THE AXIS THEREOF; A ROTARY DRIVE MECHANISMSUPPORTED BY SAID CYLINDRICAL ARM MEMBER AND HAVING MEANS ADAPTED FORENGAGEMENT WITH AN ANNULAR PORTION OF SAID RING FOR ROTATING THE SAME; AFIRST FRAME RIGIDLY SECURED TO THE LOWER SIDE OF SAID RING MEMBER ANDDISPOSED IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE NORMAL TO THE AXIS OF SAID ARM, SAIDFIRST FRAME